For the third time at the USA Pro Challenge, Cannondale-Garmin’s Nate Brown rode in the main breakaway of the day, and once again nearly took top honors on a hard stage. The six rider break made it to the line in Fort Collins, thanks in large part to Brown driving it in the closing meters.

“We knew the only way we would make it to the line is if we worked all the way to the final kilometers so we made a pact for that,” said Brown.

After racing every day at altitudes at or above 9,000 feet, today’s stage started at 4,900 feet, making breathing a little easier — though that also meant for hard racing.

“For me it was easier but overall it was hard on the break because it was a solid group and we were rotating really hard,” said Brown. “It took a lot for the break to go because UHC wanted the intermediate sprints.”

One of the other strong riders in the break was Roman Kreuziger — who ended up being the first to launch an attack on the break, at only four kilometers to go.

“I knew he was the strongest in the break so he was the one I was watching to go. He attacked from behind me so it took me a second to get on him and we held it until the final corner. I knew I had to go with him because I wasn’t going to win a six up sprint.”

Brown made it up to the Tinkoff-Saxo rider and pulled through, holding a five second gap on the break until the final stretch.

When asked if he plans to go in the break on the final stage after three times in the break, Brown replied, “Hey, why not! Maybe I’ll go for the most time in a break!”